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Month: August 2017

Jeff Wood announced his 23 man final squad recently for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers for Russia 2018 versus Belgium and Bosnia Herzegovina. Gibraltar face the Red Devils away on Thursday 31st August while they receive Bosina at ‘Home’ at the Estadio Do Algarve in Faro on Sunday 3rd September.

Gibraltar United had four players named in the squad. Keeper and skipper Kyle ‘Chino’ Goldwin is now a regular call up and all at the club hope he breaks his International duck and receives a well deserved and earned cap. Erin Barnett also makes the cut along with midfield enforcer Jamie Bosio. Evan Green, soon to continue his studies in the UK, also earns himself a midfield berth. We wish them and the rest of the squad all the best as they face up to two difficult tasks in the coming week. Come on the Red and Whites.

All great stories come to an end sometime and for the the sharpest gun in the West the sun has set over his Gibraltar United Career on the pitch.

Robert joined us for the start of the 2015/16 season as our marquee signing in the attacking area of the pitch, leaving Second Division side Europa Point as the lure of working with former Boss Manolo was too strong for Robert to resist. He set the tone for his Red and White career by scoring his first goal in his first match against a feisty Britannia.

That set him off on a remarkable scoring streak that saw him net 15 times for the first team and a further 8 times for the Reserves. His goals against Man 62, Lynx FC and most notably Glacis and Angels FC saw the club safe in a difficult first season in the top flight. The moniker John Wayne was to serve Robert well in his first season as almost every ball he touched in the area was converted into a goal. His connection with Pitu was deadly as one can appreciate below.

Scoring 15 league goals in a struggling side, add to that 9 for the Reserves, brought Robert to the attention of Jeff Wood and the clamour for him to get capped was immense. Roberts prowess on the pitch made Mr Wood’s selection easy. A local forward getting regular game time and scoring regularly could not be left out despite the club’s standing in the league. As it was Robert earned his two UEFA caps in the home friendlies against Latvia and Leichtenstein in March 2016. He was to carry on being a regular call up for the following year as Gibraltar begun its FIFA journey as well; just rewards for his efforts.

The following season was much like the last as we fought at the wrong half of the table but yet again Robert ended the season as our top goalscorer, netting six times. It was with a heavy heart that he approached the club informing us of his decision to step down as age has finally caught up with him. His sharpness in front of the goal has not blunted and it will be Olympique 13 that will benefit from this poacher extraordinaire as he is sure to set the 2nd Division alight!

His eagerness to help with our youth has seen him become a coach and will continue that role. Though he leaves the club as a player he still works tirelessly passing on his experience and wisdom to the young strikers in our youth ranks. Indeed Robert has certainly become a Gibraltar United man through and through!

Farewell Capitan!

Credit to Christopher Milan, Christian Correa, Core Photography and Snaprimages for the photos.